TOP 7 best mechanisms for sofas for every day

Why is it so important to choose a reliable mechanism?

If the internal mechanisms become unusable, then it will not be possible to use upholstered furniture as a bed.

Daily use means heavy loads on the transformation device. The stronger it is, the longer the furniture will serve its intended purpose - as a permanent sleeping place.

Pay attention to other factors that affect reliability: materials, device complexity, manufacturer reputation, and price. A product that is too cheap is unlikely to last long.

In addition to strength, a mechanism for daily use must have the following qualities:

1. Be easy to use on a daily basis. It is unlikely that anyone would want to start or end the day with a long, painstaking assembling and disassembling of the bed.
2. Have a simple design. The fewer parts, the less the risk that something inside will become unusable. A simple design is easier and cheaper to repair.

To find out which sofa layout mechanism is the most reliable, let’s look at each of them in more detail.

Tools for assembling a sofa

Every home craftsman must have all the necessary tools, without which work will be impossible.

Most often, the following tools are used to assemble a sofa:

• Hammer;
• Screwdriver;
• Screwdrivers;
• Hexagons;
• Roulette;
• Stapler;

Book

The photograph shows one of the main drawbacks of almost all “books” - the joint between the structures.

An old, time-tested device that was widely used in Soviet folding sofas. Simply pull the lower part up (as if tilting the seat) until it clicks, and then release. The back will take a horizontal position, forming a spacious sleeping surface.

This is a simple but reliable mechanism that will last for many years. Fragments of the structure are located inside, but they are compact, so you can arrange storage space under the seat. For example, you can put bed linen and other bedding there.

Advantages:

• simplicity and reliability;
• low price;
• there is free space for storing things;
• It folds and unfolds easily - even a child can handle it.

The “book” has several disadvantages:

• For correct operation, free space is required; it cannot be placed close to the wall.
• A deep depression forms in the middle, which can affect your sleeping comfort. This deficiency can be corrected with the help of a topper - a thin mattress up to 10 cm thick.

Transportation rules

All disassembled parts must be packed; corrugated cardboard, stretch film, and any waterproof materials are used for protection. Each element is packaged separately, the sides are connected in pairs, everything is wrapped in film and secured with tape. Wooden parts must be protected with corrugated cardboard. These measures will help protect the sofa from damage, dirt, getting wet, and deformation during transportation. It is easy to disassemble the sofa, and to make it just as easy to assemble it, it is advisable to put the bolts and nuts in separate bags and label which part they were removed from.

All upholstery parts of the disassembled sofa should be wrapped in stretch film to protect from abrasions, dirt and wetness.

After removing all accessible parts of the sofa, they should be wrapped with stretch film.

Disassembling upholstered furniture into individual elements simplifies loading and unloading, allows you to compactly place the cargo in the back of a car for transportation, and also helps protect it from accidental damage.

The corner sofa is equipped with a fairly large and bulky design.

Each element of the disassembled corner sofa is packaged separately (the sides are in pairs).

The Accordion sofa is one of the most popular models of upholstered furniture. It is easy to use and fits harmoniously into any interior. However, when moving to another apartment/house, the question often arises of how to transport a sofa yourself, so as not to hire special companies for transportation. In order for the transportation to be successful and the product not to be damaged, it is necessary to follow certain rules for disassembling furniture and transportation.

Furniture can be damaged in an elevator or stairwell. Therefore, before carrying it, it is best to wrap the sofa with regular film or fabric. Moving parts are fixed, as they can be damaged when moving. Approach the process responsibly, since the appearance of the furniture and its suitability in the future will depend on the actions taken. If the product is incorrectly disassembled or the structure is damaged, the model will not be suitable for use.

Eurobook

Ormatek Easy Home Middle model with a frame made of chipboard and fabric upholstery.

Another mechanism whose work is compared to a book. Eurobooks do not need free space in the rear part of the case to unfold. They can be easily placed close to the wall. But to arrange such furniture, you need to perform more actions. First move the seat forward and then lower the backrest. Assembling the “Eurobook” is also simple - just repeat the steps in reverse order.

The structure of the design is simpler than the classic “book”. The backrest is hinged, and the seat moves forward on wheels. Typically, frame parts and wheel guides are made of hardwood or plywood. Simplicity of design and durable materials ensure longevity of the furniture.

Be careful - when unfolding, the back of the sofa may fall on its own. Hold it and carefully lower it, otherwise the retaining hinges will eventually become loose from the constant fall of the backrest under its own weight.

Pros:

• The folding mechanism does not take up much space, so many manufacturers provide a niche inside for storing things. If you use the sofa for its intended purpose every day, you can store sleeping accessories there: pillows, blankets, a thin mattress pad.
• The “Eurobook” is devoid of a significant drawback of the “book” - the depression between the back and the seat when unfolded. It will be more comfortable to sleep on it.
• The simplest model in the top, which means more durable.
• The price is comparable to the “book”.

Minuses:

• It cannot be folded and unfolded in one motion.
• When choosing upholstered furniture, make sure that the front part is retractable on wheels. If they are not there, there is a risk of ruining the floor covering or carpet.

Selection and use

When choosing a sofa, you need to pay attention to several aspects:

• ease of use and folding;
• the dimensions of the furniture, and it is important to take into account the parameters of the people who will sleep on it;
• color spectrum;
• price;
• the presence of the necessary additional structural elements - drawers, armrests, etc.;
• product quality.

Assembling a sofa book

Important! It is worth choosing furniture only from good manufacturers so that it is of high quality and lasts a long time. This is especially true for variations of a classic book. Cheap sofas usually do not have high quality mechanisms and break down quickly.

To keep the sofa book clean, you can purchase special covers or capes that cover it. Fortunately, stores sell a variety of bedspreads specifically for such models. It is also better to immediately place the sofa so that access to its side is convenient, otherwise it will be impossible to unfold it.

Sofa cover click-clack

It is important to know how the book mechanism works, otherwise, if you perform incorrect actions when unfolding, it can be damaged and ruined. First you need to move the backrest forward, and then raise the seat, the backrest will begin to fall. Next, you just need to lower it down, and the seat will move forward. That's it, the sofa is unfolded.

On a note! Some mechanisms, when unfolded, emit a characteristic click, which indicates that the mechanism structure is seated correctly.

Diagram of the book transformation mechanism (klya-klyak)

Accordion

This is what the “accordion” looks like under the upholstery. The picture shows slats that give the sleeping place orthopedic qualities.

The operating principle of the mechanism really resembles an accordion. To unfold it, you need to lift the seat until it clicks, then pull it forward along with the backrest (somewhat reminiscent of a regular folding bed). The model unfolds in a few seconds.

The main advantage of “accordions” is the presence of a durable metal frame with a lamella lattice. Just like in full beds! Elastic wooden armor absorbs the load, improving the orthopedic properties of the bed. Sleeping on such furniture will be more beneficial for the health of the musculoskeletal system. And the presence of a metal frame has a good effect on the durability and reliability of the product as a whole.

Such sofas protrude strongly forward - this is both a plus and a minus. They need a lot of space in front, but even small models (~ 140 cm wide) easily form a comfortable bed for two.

Pros:

• The “accordion” is more complex than the “book” and “eurobook”; it is reliable and durable, as it consists entirely of metal.
• A slatted lattice with birch battens as a base improves the orthopedic characteristics of the bed.
• Easy to fold and unfold.

Minuses:

• Due to the peculiarities of the folded mechanism, such sofas have a wide back. In some models this is very noticeable. A significant disadvantage for those who care about design.
• Even if it has a drawer for storing things, it will be smaller due to the design.
• Furniture requires a lot of free space in front for unfolding.

Transportation rules

An important point when transporting furniture is to prevent it from moving freely in the back of the car. To do this, you need to secure it with a rope or stops. To avoid accidental staining, lay it down with cardboard. Try to initially place the overall part in the body of the vehicle, and the sidewalls and blocks can be placed nearby as stops. It is better to put pillows and other small items on top. It is advisable to use freight transport for transportation, but in order to save money, you can transport it in your own passenger car. To do this you will need a roof rack and a large interior. The main part of the sofa can be secured on top; before doing this, it is advisable to pack it well; it is better to transport small parts in the cabin and rear trunk.

Roll-out

A significant advantage of roll-out models is a spacious place to sleep with a high headboard.

Another type of mechanism with a simple design. It is enough to roll the seat forward and place an additional pillow, which is located under the seat, in the free space. There is no need to lower the backrest. When unfolded, the sofa resembles a bed with a high headboard. It is more convenient to lean on it while resting in bed than on a hard wall. An excellent choice for those who like to read in bed or watch TV.

Pros:

• It is comfortable to relax due to the high back.
• The roll-out part is on wheels - you don’t have to worry about the condition of the floor.
• A flat surface for resting without depressions at the joints of the structure.
• Reasonable price.

Minuses:

• There is no linen drawer inside.
• Requires a lot of space in front (like an “accordion”).

How to pack?

Before you move your sofa to a new location after disassembling it, you need to think about packaging. This will protect the upholstery from dirt and damage. In addition, this point is important for wooden elements, the presentation of which is very important. The packaging procedure is not difficult, however, there are a number of recommendations. The best materials for packaging are cardboard, polyethylene film, and bubble wrap. You can secure them with regular tape.

Please note that each item must be packaged separately. Edges and hard corners must be lined with cardboard, and soft surfaces must be wrapped with film. Each layer is fixed with tape. Fastening elements are placed in a specially prepared container, which must be tightly closed. This will help you assemble the sofa faster, since everything you need will be at hand. If you perform all the steps correctly, the sofa will not be afraid of dirt and moisture. He will calmly tolerate not too careful external influences.

Dolphin

"Dolphin" unfolded.

More often, “dolphin” is found in corner models. To unfold, you need to pull the strap on the bottom of the seat, under which there is a hidden section. It seems to “emerge” from under the sofa, which is why the mechanism got its name. The result is a flat bed without joints. To fold it back, you need to pull the strap up at an angle, and the section will fold inward. The additional pillow is located inside the structure, so in straight models there is no space for a linen drawer.

Pros:

• The backrest does not fold, you can lean on it comfortably - like on the high headboard of a soft bed.
• The “dolphin” does not require free space near the wall to operate.

Minuses:

• Straight models do not have a linen drawer.
• The inner section can weigh a lot (depending on the size and features of the specific model). It will be more difficult for children to unfold such a sofa.
• In cheaper models, the levels of the inner section and seat may vary. Because of this, the sleeping surface may be uneven. Be careful when choosing.

Mechanisms for transforming sofas - an overview of the main systems and structures

When choosing a sofa, one of the most important parameters is the mechanism for transforming from a seat to a sleeping place. It is the transformation system that determines how much space in the room the sofa will take up in all its operating modes. In addition to the dimensions, the transformation mechanism determines such points as the presence of a linen drawer in the sofa, the ability to lay a carpet in close proximity and whether the sleeping place corresponds to a full-fledged bed.

Puma

Durable design for every day.

A mechanism named after a representative of the animal world. The name hides the basic principle of operation - the lower part of the sofa seems to “jump” forward like a puma. To unfold the model, you need to pull its lower part upward at an angle of 45 degrees. Under the action of the spring, it seems to protrude forward. At the same time, an additional element hidden inside is pushed into the vacated area. The result is a flat surface for sleeping.

Advantages:

• "Puma" can withstand a heavy load - about 200 kg per bed.
• High reliability.
• You don’t have to worry about the carpet or the floor, because the lower section does not roll on the floor on wheels, but seems to take a “step” forward.
• The transformation is carried out in one movement.
• The backrest does not need to be folded.
• Higher price compared to other products.

Flaws:

• The design is more complex in structure than the others.
• Straight sofas do not have a drawer for linen. If you need a box, you will have to buy a corner model.

First steps during repair

If you don’t know how to repair a sofa with a similar problem, then you can look at photo and video information on the Internet. They should unfold easily, and if problems arise, they must be corrected immediately, otherwise later it may completely jam. To begin with, the sofa book needs to be disassembled to get to the mechanism itself.

Then you need to assess the scale of the problem. The mechanisms that can break down on their own are very simple, and if a problem arises, it immediately becomes visible even to an inexperienced person.

You also need to check the springs. Over time, they weaken and sometimes they no longer hold the back so confidently. And of course, from use they can simply become loose, a foreign object can get into them, etc. If this is just the problem, then there is no need to disassemble anything, eliminate the problem and use your favorite sofa again.

What does the mechanism look like?

You can easily find everything that needs to be replaced at any hardware store. If you decide to carry out the procedure yourself, then experts advise immediately changing the entire mechanism, and not its individual parts. This will avoid further damage and increase the service life of upholstered furniture for quite a long time. And in general, a complete replacement will take place much faster than a partial one.

Where to place the product

Such products are suitable for any room:

1. Living room. On the modern market you can find various shapes and sizes of roll-out sofas. For apartments with a large area, large corner models are suitable, and for small rooms you can find compact options. During the daytime, the whole family can relax on such a sofa, and at night it can be used as an additional sleeping place.

1. Bedroom. For a sleeping area that has a small area, it is not always possible to find a bed that will fit in size. In such a situation, it would be more appropriate to purchase a roll-out sofa, because when folded it will not take up much space, but when unfolded it can provide a spacious sleeping area.

1. Children's room. A child's room usually contains a lot of different furnishings - from cabinets to bookshelves, but at the same time you need to allocate a place that will be used for games. Using a small roll-out sofa instead of a bed will help free up space.

Step-by-step instruction

Having prepared all the required materials and tools, you can assemble a very comfortable accordion sofa. The main thing is to strictly adhere to the assembly scheme for such furniture in order to avoid mistakes. Let's look step by step at how to assemble a product correctly using a factory design as an example.

• The purchased accordion sofa is delivered from the warehouse disassembled. The frame, mechanism and mattress come separately. All components must be properly prepared for assembly, removing all packaging material.

Recommendations

When assembling upholstered furniture with or without mechanisms yourself, it is worth remembering some useful tips.

• When assembling the sofa, protruding upholstery elements may appear. You can hide them using tape or a special construction stapler.
• If a new furniture structure is equipped with a mechanism, after assembly it is necessary to check that it is working correctly. During testing, under no circumstances should you make sudden movements or jerks, regardless of the type of system: roll-out, folding or sliding.
• If you are assembling a sofa from handmade parts, be especially careful. If the structure is constructed from natural wood, it must be treated with antiseptics before assembly.
• If, during assembling the furniture, the fittings included in the kit become damaged or fail, you need to buy new ones. Old broken parts should not be used under any circumstances, even if it seems that they are almost “undamaged”.

The following is a video instruction for assembling a straight sofa.

Craftsmen who are capable of producing pieces of furniture for the home with their own hands, or at least assembling a model of a sofa delivered disassembled, have always been valued. Considering the fact that small-sized apartments require a special approach to furniture, the ability to assemble a sofa that transforms into a bed brings some savings to the family budget.